18x9.5" ET38 APEX EC-7 WRX Wheel

The EC-7 wheel includes details specifically implemented to enhance the WRX/STI owners' track day and street performance experience. An optimized car setup begins with the right wheel and tire fitment, and without model-specific attention, maximum performance is compromised. These wheels were developed exclusively for the WRX/STI chassis in a square configuration which promotes a neutral handling experience while allowing drivers to efficiently rotate wheels and tires on all four corners of the car. This dramatically reduces the cost of tires over time. Simply put, our wheel was designed for long-term durability without sacrificing performance and fit, while also adhering to APEX’s mission of maximizing value. Corner carving & track enthusiasts: this is your wheel.

If the spokes of a wheel don't clear your brake calipers, then the wheel can’t be used at all. We made sure these wheels offer ample brake clearance, effectively clearing a variety of aftermarket BBK’s as well as popular factory BBK’s.

Designing a wheel with spokes that clear a Big Brake Kit, is only half of the battle. The inside of the barrel needs to be large enough to physically fit large calipers and rotors. Be warned— not all wheels are made equal. The barrel of the EC-7 wheel offers unmatched caliper clearance because wheels shouldn’t limit your choice of aftermarket brake kits, and brake kits shouldn’t force you to run heavier, oversized wheels. We 2D modeled most Big Brake Kits available in Solidworks and tweaked the wheel design of the EC-7 prior to production in order to fit as many brake kits as possible.

The EC-7 wheel is manufactured in three increasingly-concave face profiles; The shallowest face provides increased caliper clearance on narrow applications, while the deepest concave face reduces weight and creates a stunningly aggressive appearance on low offset and wide-width applications. This specific WRX/STI application boasts a profile 2 medium concave face.

The curved spokes of the EC-7 serve many purposes, both in terms of form and function. The split "Y" spokes were carefully evaluated from every aspect to ensure light weight and remarkable strength. Their curved design increases brake calipers in almost every application, allowing the EC-7 to fit where the ARC-8 design simply cannot. The unique curvature of each face profile reduces center pad material as they are optimally selected for each unique width and offset. The lack of a deep front lip and spokes that connect directly to the barrel's lip, producing a rigid wheel with even load distribution.

Race wheels can't just be light, they need to function in a high performance environment. Unlike the narrow lug recesses of most other wheels, the EC-7 wheel features bored-out lug recesses that easily accommodate oversized race lugs and beefy impact sockets. This allows for quick and easy wheel changes and prevents chips and scratches from tools.

All APEX EC-7 wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications, and centering rings are never required for any WRX/STI application. All 5x114.3mm bolt pattern wheels feature a direct-fit, 56.1mm center bore.

The EC-7 wheel can be used with all OEM and aftermarket mounting hardware with a 60° tapered seat. Lug bolts, wheel locks, and stud conversion kits all work perfectly. The EC-7 wheel also accepts wheel spacers without issue. The shallow rear chamfer allows the wheel to remain hub centric even when 5mm flat spacers are used. The chamfer is deep enough to clear the chamfered lip found on some aftermarket spacers that would typically cause improper seating of the wheel and, therefore, wheel vibration.

TPMS sensors, which monitor tire pressure, are one piece of technology that can't be compromised. The attention to OEM compatibility on the EC-7 wheel doesn't end with center caps. All APEX wheels accept OEM and aftermarket equivalent TPMS sensors, and any standard sized metal or rubber valve stem.

These APEX wheels are produced using a manufacturing process known as flow forming. This process significantly reduces weight in the barrel, which has the greatest impact on rotational mass. During the manufacturing process, rollers apply high pressure to the inner barrel, compressing the aluminum into its final shape. This effectively eliminates porosity and aligns the grain structure of the metal, which increases tensile strength. The end result is a lightweight and extremely strong barrel that equals that of a traditional forged wheel at a fraction of the cost.

Many companies promote their wheels as being certified by the VIA when they actually aren’t. That’s like using the USDA logo on food without permission. APEX wheels get officially tested and registered by the VIA in Japan, and we have the proof to back it up. Learn more about false VIA claims.

Japan’s JWL is a commonly followed standard for wheel load ratings. Our flow formed wheels meet, and most exceed, their load rating requirements. Most manufacturers only meet the minimum while some don’t even do that. Check and verify load ratings before you buy. Learn more about wheels that aren’t JWL.

Various design features were implemented to ensure that the EC-7 wheel design was light, but had even more strength to handle the abuses experienced in endurance racing. We began with a beefy, multi-spoke, one-piece design. We added reliefs in the mounting pad to remove weight between lug holes, where we could safely save weight. The design was then run through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to further optimize the spoke and barrel design. The result is a lightweight wheel with extra strength in all the right places. Use the EC-7 with confidence. It’s over built for both street and track.

The EC-7 wheel is available in multiple finishes. All APEX wheels are finished using a comprehensive multi-stage liquid paint system over a powder coated base coat. Standard finishes include gloss-metallic finishes, and semi-gloss or matte finishes.

Often overlooked, painted or powder coated lug hole seats can cause hardware to loosen or begin the spread of paint chipping to more visible sections. The coating process of the EC-7 leaves lug holes, center bores and mounting pads untouched, which ensures proper fit and torque values.

As of recent, all our wheels now come with a lifetime structural warranty and 1 year finish warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase. See here for full terms and conditions.

Do some serious damage to a wheel that’s not covered under warranty? No worries. Curb rash or even totally mangling a wheel in a car accident is covered by our APEX360° program. We offer replacements for wrecked wheels at 50% off our standard prices. See our full terms and conditions for more details.